Medical Aid for works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.

Gaza under fire

WITNESS AUGUST 2014

Editorial SITUATIONSITUATION OVERVIEW OVERIEW www.map-uk.org

Dear READER IN THIS ISSUE It has been another terrible few months for Palestinians. SITUATION OVERVIEW AND 1 EDITORIAL In July, we watched in disbelief as the people of Gaza – Tony Laurance imprisoned by Israel’s blockade – were bombarded by thousands of tons of explosives from land, sea and air. MAP’s RESPONSE 2 Thousands have been killed or injured of which a high SITUATION OVERVIEW number are children. For any child over six it will the third A round up of what is happening war of their short lives. in Gaza and MAP’s response 1. Al Shifa hospital: 12. Attack on children going to shop: 15. Playing children killed by Israel: MAP supplies delivered. On 8th July, a drone fires a missile at 4 children are killed while playing The civilian population has borne the brunt of Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on 3-4 Gaza Crisis and 3 children on a street in Jabalia. One on the beach near Gaza City port on the most vulnerable, including women, children, older people and people with MAPs response 2. Al Karama hospital: of the children is killed on the spot; 16th July. Another 2 are injured. disability. UN shelters and medical facilities including hospitals have also been hit; A look at the origins of the crisis MAP supplies delivered. the other 2 are injured. The boys were those seeking refuge, patients and medical staff have been injured and killed. There on their way to buy ingredients for a and how MAP is responding 3. Al Nasser hospital: 5 has been serious damage to housing, water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure, hummus dish for Iftar. MAP supplies delivered. posing further threats to public health. 5-6 Photostory 12 13. Nine killed watching World Cup: 10 NORTH GAZA Images and quotes 4. Al Wafa: What madness is this? What further proof is needed of the futility of Israel’s policy  On 9th July, a military attack on a 11 Erez Crossing The Al Wafa rehabilitative hospital Beit Lahiya towards Gaza over the past decade – an illegal policy of siege and collective from our team in Gaza beachside coffee shop killed 9 people in Shuja’iyyeh is severely damaged Jabalya 14 punishment which has devastated Gaza’s economy, imprisoned its population and watching a World Cup football match. Shati Camp 7 after being attacked twice by Israeli Beit Hanoun denied them the possibility of a normal life. There has to be a better way. There can The view from Another 3 people are injured including 15 9 forces. This hospital is the only one be no return to the status quo when the fighting finally stops. THE one child. Gaza City West Bank reacts to events in Gaza in Gaza that specialises in providing 9 20 care for people with severe and Our staff in Gaza have worked throughout the bombardment despite the 6 4 terrible conditions and risks. The hospitals are under the most impossible strain, complex impairments. 8 The view from 2 17 flooded with patients and acute shortages of supplies. MAP was able to respond 5. Al Awda hospital: GAZA within hours of the escalation by releasing our prepositioned emergency supplies 1 16 Our team in Lebanon give their MAP supplies delivered to the to the hospitals. You can read more of how MAP was leading the response on the 7a reaction to Gaza, while managing blood bank. Al-Nuseirat features inside. Juhor Al-Deek their own crisis 19 6. Central Drug Store: 7b Al-Bureii MAP was also at the forefront of speaking out in the media, in Parliament and on Al- Israel Receiving and distributing MAP supplies Deir Al-Balah our website, calling for concerted action by the UK government and international 9-10 TAKE ON 18 community to secure: to Gaza’s hospitals. THE CHALLENGE MIDDLE AREA 8 Be a fundraiser 7. Palestinian Red Crescent Society The protection of civilians, medical facilities and personnel; (PRCS): 16. Children killed while feeding chickens: 11 MAP NEWS MAP is working with PRCS to distribute 13 A complete and enduring ceasefire, with parties held to account for On 17th July, 3 children, who were Plus dates for your diary mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits in violations of international law; feeding the family chicken on the roof the Middle Area, Gaza City, Khan Younis 7d Bani Suheila Khan Younis of their home, were killed. 2 children Lifting of the blockade of Gaza together with a realistic plan for and . sustainable redevelopment; KHAN YOUNIS were injured. 8. Al Aqsa hospital: 17. Brutal Ground Invasion in Shejai’ya: Renewal of peace negotiations which recognise Palestinians’ right to On 21st July, reported shelling kills 5 The north eastern town of Shejai’ya self-determination and the territorial integrity of the West Bank, East Jerusalem patients and 2 doctors and injured has been the site of relentless attacks and Gaza and which ensure a just and fair solution for all. at least 70 people at the hospital. RAFAH 3 EGYPT by Israeli forces and a ground invasion 7c This edition of Witness focuses on the tragic situation in Gaza including access 9. Beit Hanoun hospital: that killed dozens of people. Medical Rafah to healthcare and the many initiatives to support the population of Gaza. The hospital had a direct hit. By the end personnel were apparently targeted and prevented from accessing the injured. of July, 6 hospitals and 10 primary health Rafah Crossing I would like to say a special thank you to MAP’s many supporters, donors and care clinics had been damaged in attacks. volunteers for their tremendous generosity and hard work over these terrible 18. Attack on Shelter: Kerem Shalom Crossing weeks. Your support has never been more vital. 10. Israeli military attack on An UNRWA school operating as an disability centre: emergency shelter for approximately A missile attack on Mebaret 1,000 forced out of their homes, was Palestine for the Disabled Centre on attacked by Israel. 12th July killed 2 women. The centre, 19. Al Jazeera attacked: for people with complex disabilities Tony Laurance 14. UNRWA Shelter: On 22nd July, Al Jazeera staff report has been destroyed. Another 3 women th Chief Executive Officer On 24 July, UNRWA’s Beit Hanoun attacks on their office by Israeli forces. Medical Aid for Palestinians with disabilities and a staff member Elementary School, serving as a were injured. shelter for displaced families, was hit 20. Palestinian Red Crescent Society by explosive projectiles, causing 15 (PRCS) forced to move: 11. Hospital director’s house destroyed: fatalities and 200 injuries. The attack A PRCS operations office was Al Shifa’s director’s home is destroyed followed three previous incidents over hit by Israeli forces on 9th July, by Israeli forces. The director said, “I got 4 days of UNRWA shelters being hit injuring 3 medics and the director. my family out with seconds to spare.” Cover photograph by Gianluca Panella by explosives. Operations transferred.

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Gaza Crisis www.map-uk.org Gaza Crisis AND MAP’s Response Thousands have been killed and injured in the full-scale Israeli military offensive on Gaza which began on 7th July. Many are children and most are civilians. Over 215,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The attacks on Gaza’s homes, schools, emergency shelters and hospitals mean that no one and nowhere is safe. As Witness went to press at the end of July, international efforts to prolong a 12-hour ceasefire had failed and the already critical situation was becoming even more desperate.

Origins of the Attacks Health System under response to provide desperately Impossible Strain needed support and supplies. MAP After President Sisi seized power in has continued to be a key responder to Egypt , there was a breakdown in The health system in Gaza was in a the crisis. At the time of writing MAP relations between Hamas and the dire state after eight years of blockade had delivered more medical aid to Egyptian Government and most of even before the escalation of hostilities. Gaza’s hospitals then any international the tunnels from Egypt into Gaza, The isolation of Gaza from the rest of aid agency. which had acted as a lifeline for the the world, the political split between blockaded population, were closed. Gaza and the West Bank, the lack of MAP’s response included supplying This put further pressure on Hamas training, maintenance and investment, urgently needed equipment, such to reach an accord with Fatah. On had all taken a heavy toll. MAP staff as breathing tubes, surgical gauze 23rd April, the two parties signed a on the ground reported that 28% of and needles to the Gaza’s hospitals. landmark reconciliation agreement. essential medicines were at zero stock Within hours of an urgent request In June, President Abbas formed a and another 16% were at less than 12 from Al Shifa, the largest hospital government of ‘technocrats’ without weeks supply. Shortages of disposable in Gaza, MAP supplied anaesthetics representatives of either party. The medical equipment were reported at and antibiotics, as well as surgical US, EU and UN announced they would 54% of needed items, including basic disposables. MAP also responded work with the Unity Government – but items such as sutures and materials for swiftly to a call from Al Awda hospital Mohamed Askari this prompted angry condemnation by bone injuries. in the north of Gaza for emergency Emergency case rushed into Al’Shifa Hospital the Israeli government who objected to supplies, providing essential drugs and the reconciliation deal. With the thousands of casualties from disposables including syringes, sterile statistics Blood bank campaigns Water supplies have also been severely statistics an emergency. This has stood them in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, hospitals gloves and saline. affected as a result of damage to water good stead dealing with the current The increasing number of casualties Not long after this, three Israeli were placed under impossible strain. facilities and the inability to carry out crisis. As Gaza’s medical personnel has led to a severe shortage of blood teenagers disappeared in the West The Ministry of Health (MOH) put out Since the start of the emergency repairs due to attacks on staff. Damaged worked round the clock in this critical 20 and blood products in the hospitals and 44% Bank and were found murdered after a call for help, particularly for essential situation, MAP has released over members of water and sewage pipes pose a high risk of Gaza, situation, MAP continues to respond to health clinics. MAP is facilitating much a huge search operation conducted by medicines and disposables. 200,000 items of essential medicine the same family to public health. With the destruction within a three the emerging needs. For the 1.7 million the Israeli military. Several Palestinians, and disposables medical equipment were killed needed blood transfusions and resupply kilometre Palestinians living in the , For the first five days of the conflict, of infrastructure escalating from Israel’s including children, were killed by Israeli across Gaza. MAP continues to react of blood stocks to stabilise and treat the wide strip, was half of whom are children, it is vitally MAP was the only UK charity to respond including 11 ground invasion, the threats to public forces, hundreds more were injured and to the emerging crisis by releasing injured population. MAP has supported declared as a important that doctors and nurses to the urgent needs on the ground. We children health are getting worse by the day. there were hundreds of arrests. There additional funds for the procurement the blood bank of Al Shifa and Al Awda ‘No-go zone’ at hospitals across Gaza receive the immediately activated our coordinated and delivery of medicines and supplies. in one attack hospitals to collect blood donations. MAP has released hygiene kits including were attacks on Palestinians by Israeli th by the Israeli supplies they so urgently need. and carefully planned emergency on 26 July individuals and groups, and, later, the Brave members of the public in Gaza are sanitary and cleaning products which military abduction and murder of a 16-year-old queuing up to donate blood to help with had been prepositioned in four Palestinian boy In East Jerusalem. His “Going back to the status quo won’t solve the problem, the hospitals’ emergency response. warehouses across the Gaza Strip, in We have only Gaza City, the Middle Area, Khan Younis 15-year-old cousin was then brutally it will only defer it for another day. It will not stop the 1.2million been able to 1 child Providing shelter and Rafah. The hygiene kits, blankets beaten by Israeli police, denied medical was killed in people in Gaza bloodshed, it will make it even worse the next time and mattresses are being distributed to respond so quickly attention for hours, and put under Gaza every hour to displaced families have either no the cycle rolls over the people of Gaza and plagues the displaced people, to the families and to the needs in house arrest. during 2 days or limited access people of Israel. Gaza is an open wound and Band Aids The Israeli air, land and sea bombardments friends hosting the displaced and to Gaza because of heavy have displaced hundreds of thousands to water or In response to these developments, won’t help. There must be a plan after the aftermath people living in damaged homes. sanitation you support us. rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel fighting in July people from their homes, the majority of and Israeli forces increased airstrikes that allows Gaza to breathe and heal”. whom are hosted at UNRWA shelters and MAP’s programmes in Gaza also on Gaza. Israel declared the start of UN Secretary General, are in need of emergency food assistance, included the training of doctors and ‘Operation Protective Edge’ on 8th July. Ban Ki-moon, 21 July 2014 water, mattresses and blankets. nurses to build the capacity of the Gaza health system to adequately respond to

3 4 Photostory www.map-uk.org

PHOTOSTORY “It’s just another day. We woke up to the sound of drones and Gaza Under Fire artillery bombs. The new thing today is that a school opened Here are brief accounts from our team in its doors for people who were Gaza during the military offensive. displaced from eastern Khan Younis. We went to the school to distribute 150 hygiene kits and 160 mattresses. A girl said to me that “today is my fourth birthday but I don’t want to “It’s 2:30 am and I doubt anyone in celebrate it because there Gaza is sleeping. They are completely are a lot of dead people and exhausted but they are not being destroyed houses.” allowed to sleep. Heavy bombardments Hitham Al Saqqa are taking place everywhere, airstrikes have been intensified and there is tank and naval firing attacking the east and west of the Gaza Strip. It’s unfair that the international community is closing its eyes to all these crimes against civilians. I can’t

understand how killing and terrifying Mohamed Askari civilians is seen as an act of defence. Hundreds of children are amongst the injured Strange world.” Fikr Shaltoot “This afternoon, while contacting the CDS (Gaza Central Drug Store), my two-year-old son went out to the balcony. Within a moment I realised that he “I’ve just come back from Al Shifa was outside and I called him to come back. I ran hospital, I saw some horrible things. towards the balcony, and at that very moment there People cut to pieces and injured kids. was a huge explosion very close. I could hear the There are a lot of civilians, who have sound of smashed glass everywhere. been attacked while they were in their home. I saw some people I grabbed my son who was very terrified. My heart receiving news of their dead son or stopped for a moment and I was shivering for the daughter. People are crying over the next 15 minutes. There are only seconds between death of their loved ones. It’s so sad, safety and danger here.” so heart breaking.” Hitham Al Saqqa Huda Anan Mohamed Askari A child whose family has been displaced by the bombing in Khan Younis with one of MAP’s Hygiene kits

Anas Abu Hamra Mohamed Askari Mohamed Askari MAP aid worker Mohamed met MAP Mohamed Askari The MAP supported Gaza blood bank with volunteers Airstrikes over Gaza light up the night sky supporter, Jon Snow, at Al Shifa hospital Homes have been destroyed across Gaza donating their blood for the injured

5 6 The view from THE West Bank The view from Lebanon www.map-uk.org The View from Lebanon: ‘A new Sabra and Shatila’

Gaza Crisis:

MAP Staff Response from THE West Bank Nuriya Oswald Libby Powell View from Gaza Hospital, Shatila A Palestinian flag flies over in the West Bank Sabra and Shatila refugee camp Lebanon refugee camp, 1982

Situational Update on Friday 25th July as a Day of Rage was statistics of the team in our Ramallah office. As News and images of the Israeli feeling of vulnerability and unpredictability “Once again In the midst of their outrage at declared in the West Bank. On Thursday the Gaza Strip continues to experience affecting people’s lives. people feel Israel’s actions in Gaza, Palestinian The attacks on Gaza have provoked The Gaza power bombardment of Gaza and its night, 20,000 Palestinians marched from daily attacks from the land, air and impact on the enclave’s buildings, What is supposed to be a festive period that the refugees in Lebanon continue to face outrage around the world. Nowhere has Ramallah to checkpoint in plant was shelled sea, the Palestinian Ministry of Health international their own humanitarian crisis caused health services and people have during Ramadan is being spent in anguish. this been felt more acutely than in the solidarity with Gaza. Friday night saw and international aid agencies in the community by the Syrian conflict. West Bank, so geographically close to 3 times been broadcast into people’s Most Palestinians here support the idea similar scenes as thousands took to the West Bank have stepped up efforts to that a return to the status quo in Gaza has failed the Lebanon is now home to 1.3 million Gaza yet unable to act to bring comfort by 25th July homes around the world through streets in Hebron, Bethlehem, , transfer desperately needed medicines is simply not acceptable – the blockade Palestinians.” Syrian refugees who have fled fighting in to their Palestinian brothers and sisters Nablus and other cities. Protesters and disposables to hospitals and clinics. the press and social media. For living under the bombs only a few must end and the regular violations of their own country. This is placing untold burned tyres in the streets and hurled Trucks carrying urgent medical supplies those Palestinians who fled miles away. Palestinians’ rights must stop. A three day strain on the country whose population stones and molotov cocktails in scenes By the end of July have been making trips to the Gaza Strip similar scenes of destruction in mourning period announced in the camps was only 4.4 million before the crisis. during this latest outbreak of violence. During July, protests against Israel’s reminiscent of the second intifada some Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, during the bombardment was observed ten years ago. The Kerem Shalom crossing has been living in actions in Gaza were continuous last year, and the families hosting by everyone. and widespread in the West Bank. kept open for the transfer of urgent have been seriously impacted by the Israel’s crackdown on protests in the Demonstrations which were originally 18 humanitarian supplies. However, some them in Lebanon, the news Once again people feel that the violence and 63% have been displaced. West Bank was swift and often violent. directed towards the large-scale search hospitals vital aid deliveries have been delayed provokes a grim sense of déjà vu. international community has failed Over 50,000 are now seeking refuge in During protests in July, hundreds of the Palestinians. Many express anger Lebanon, the majority in the existing and arrest operations which took place and health either at the crossing or within Gaza due people were injured including large Lebanon is home to more than 300,000 and disappointment for the inaction Palestinian refugee camps. This has following the kidnapping and killing of centres had to the continued bombardment. numbers of children. In one 24 hour Palestinian refugees, around 50,000 of of Arab and Western countries, which exacerbated existing overcrowding and three Israeli youths, moved on to focus been damaged period, nine were killed by Israeli forces. whom have fled violence in Syria. Many some perceive to be tantamount the appalling living conditions. on Israel’s strikes in Gaza. One teenager was killed on his 17th in Gaza of these refugees have family and friends to indirect support for Israel’s Our team in Lebanon have been working Access to al Aqsa Mosque to Muslim birthday as well as another 18-year-old living in Gaza and are glued to the news, indiscriminate aggression. hard to respond to the crisis this influx worshipers was also increasingly on the same day. The overwhelming waiting fearfully to hear the location of the Demonstrations are organised on a has caused. The majority of Palestinian restricted during the holy month of majority of injuries were caused by latest airstrike or the names of those who daily basis but people are disillusioned refugees from Syria arrive in Lebanon Ramadan. The UN indicated that the live ammunition and rubber-coated have lost their lives. about the difference that they will with very few possessions and are often number of worshippers who had gained metal bullets, while tear gas inhalation Our team in Lebanon gave us this view actually make. People in the camps are carrying the heavy emotional burden of access to the mosque for Friday prayers and physical assault accounted for the from the camps during what has been doing lots of fundraising though, and all that they have witnessed in Syria. during Ramadan had been significantly remainder. On Thursday 24th July one of the most deadly periods in arranging solidarity initiatives focusing lower than the previous year. This only alone, 120 people were treated for Many children arriving have been Gaza’s history. around Ramadan. served to fuel protests which were gunshot wounds. particularly affected by the conflict. MAP “For many Lebanese and Palestinians, this already increasing in size and hostility The response in the UK to this situation is working with our local partners in the Gaza crisis: feels like a repeat of previous wars, with old as attacks continued in Gaza. is very encouraging, not just in terms Palestinian camps to ensure that there is MAP’s response from traumas being relived; some Palestinians of financial support but especially as a comprehensive psychosocial support for With the numbers of those killed and the West Bank have equated the massacre in Shejayea to testimony to the general outrage that every child that needs it. The methodology injured in Gaza rising steadily and no a new Sabra and Shatila. the assault is provoking. Thank you to Follow MAP and approach we have developed in this We couldn’t have responded as we have William Parry sign of an enduring ceasefire, protests People are overwhelmed by the level of everyone who has supported MAP on Twitter @ context will no doubt be urgently required th to the Gaza crisis without the hard work Medical disposables came to a head on Thursday 24 and violence against civilians, which adds to the during this awful period.” MedicalAidPal in Gaza in the recovery stage there.

7 8 My Fundraiser www.map-uk.org

your OUr SUpportERs KILOMARATHON SCOTLAND Diary dateS 29th March 2015 Gaza Appeal donation This running race is in Edinburgh SCOTTISH HALF MARATHON taking in the city’s cycle path network Gaza’s hospitals are £25 6th September 2014 and finishing in Murrayfield stadium. could help pay We have some wonderful supporters short of medicines and There are two different distances: for hygiene kits who host fundraising events and We have places in this flat race medical equipment. 13.1k and 6.55k. For further details containing soap, take on challenges to raise money along the East Lothian coast line. visit www.map.org.uk or MAP can get the aid in and help bandages and for MAP. Below are just a few of For more information please go to email [email protected] the people of Gaza rebuild their antiseptic cream our supporters we want to say a big www.map.org.uk or email lives. You can be part of this thank you to: [email protected] for people who EDINBURGH 10km and 5km emergency response. have been forced th st Poppy Hardee and Caroline LONDON TO WINDSOR Weekend of 30 and 31 May 2015 to flee from their Please donate today and help Fundraising News: Hamilton did a 100km run from BIKE RIDE We have places in these races in bombed homes the people of Gaza to recover. London to Brighton Sunday 7th September 2014 Scotland’s capital. The course is Heather Bacon walked from Join Team MAP on this exciting bike relatively flat so really great for Over £1 MILLION raised Chesterfield in Derbyshire to ride. Starting on Richmond Green anyone wanting to improve their Donate now £50 Burton-on-Trent you will be cycling all the way to personal best or wanting to try out cold help buy Aamir Saiyed ran the Brighton Windsor. You will be spending the day their first running race. For more Online: www.map.org.uk emergency Marathon. following the meandering Thames and information please go to Mobile: Text 70070 medical Haringey Justice for Palestinians going through Thames Valley villages www.map.org.uk or email with “GAZA10 £10” supplies such has been selling Palestinian on your way to Windsor. There are [email protected] as antibiotics, handicrafts around Haringey in aid three different length routes you can This will donate £10 CYCLE RIDE IN THE WEST BANK anaesthetics, of MAP. pick – 29 miles, 37 miles or 55 miles. and will be added to surgical gauze The route is marshalled and there are Support MAP by taking on the West your phone bill. * Luc Altmann, Richard Barnett, and gloves Alistair Gibbons, Margie Harriott, refreshment, mechanic and first aid Bank cycle challenge in October 2015. Phone: 020 7226 4114 Teresa Lowery and Simon stops all the way along. Please do For more information contact Post: Send a cheque to, Waltham-Smith have all raised join the ride and raise some money to [email protected] Medical Aid for Palestinians, money for MAP by running the support Palestinians. For further details £100 33a Islington Park Street, British London 10km visit: www.map.org.uk or could help pay Since the air strikes started a way you can fundraise. You can do a Freepost ND6445, London, statistics email [email protected] for specialist on Gaza we have been 5km run (or even walk it) or you can Mohammad Said raised over £200 N1 1BR take on a cycle ride covering hundreds By the end at his school. lifesaving overwhelmed by the response BOURNEMOUTH 5Km, of miles. You can host a fundraising of July over Laurence McLean raised money *Can only be done on UK mobile phones. treatments, such from MAP supporters. coffee morning or a quiz night or doing the Brussels 20km 10Km, HALF MARATHON Lesley Martin as treating a AND MARATHON child with severe From personal appeals to friends and organise a bring and buy sale. Faiza Ambash did the London Color th th 73% Weekend of 4 & 5 October 2014 burns caused by family, to bake sales, to fundraising Run UK. If you want to do something active, of Palestinian We have places in these coastal high explosive dinners, to mountain climbs, to concerts you can find races, swims and cycle deaths were Daisy Astell did the Color Me Rad running races in Bournemouth weapons and netball tournaments, all of the race in Leeds rides near you to take part in. For those civilians. Less and surrounding area. For more fundraising activity has been incredible. living in or near London, there are lots than 5% of Richard, Craig, Yarek and Facundo information please go to And we have had a global response with of events – including the London to Israeli deaths decided on a whim to walk from www.map.org.uk or email supporters in Ireland, Germany, USA, Windsor bike ride. If you are on the were civilians London to Brighton [email protected] £2,945 Pakistan, UAE, Canada, Brunei as well South Coast, there is the Bournemouth David Leigh organised a street runs our whole as the UK. marathon, or if a marathon is a bit too Over collection in Harpenden and malnutrition much there are 5km and 10km races. St Albans project in Gaza We have had so many wonderful In Scotland there is the Edinburgh Paul O’Brien cycled from London for a month, supporters that we simply don’t have marathon, Scottish half marathon and 6,000 allowing children homes have to Brighton room to thank everyone on these pages. the shorter Kilomarathon running race whose families been destroyed Alexandra Hejazi and a group of in Edinburgh. The list of possible events can’t afford to Because our supporters were so quick or significantly friends raised nearly £1,000 doing is endless. feed them a to start raising money for us, we were damaged the Richmond Park half marathon balanced diet to able to respond quickly to help people On the opposite page is a list of in Gaza Liz Davidson hosted a fundraising get better in Gaza. MAP was the only UK charity sporting challenge events in which MAP pub quiz in Glasgow to respond in the first five days of the has places for runners and cyclists. But crisis. In the first two weeks of the Justice for Palestinians, West you can fundraise for MAP in any event Midlands, hosted a fundraising crisis over 200 people had set up online in which you take part. dinner with live music sponsorship pages to fundraise money for MAP. But there is still more work to be done, We are currently looking for runners and we need your help. With your and riders to take part in these fundraising efforts we can support the events. If you are interested please people of Gaza as long as they need us. email us: [email protected] or go to our website www.map.org.uk Whether you are the next Mo Farah or more of a couch potato, there is always

9 10 News www.map-uk.org

MAP NEWS Diary dateS MAP gets the aid in NEW STATESMAN ROUNDTABLE MAP AT THE LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE MAP responded within hours of the In April, the nine-month deadline of IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW STATESMAN escalation by releasing prepositioned US-sponsored peace talks between Date: TBC September 2014 emergency medical supplies to the Israel and the Palestinian Authority hospitals. There is more detail on how passed, without progress being made. Venue: Jury’s Inn Manchester, 56 Great Bridgewater MAP helped lead the response inside. Whether this diplomatic failing indicates Street, Manchester the end of a viable two-state solution Panel discussion: ‘Failed Diplomacy: Is it time to Thank you to the conflict was the subject of a reframe the debate on Israel-Palestine?’ The response from MAP supporters in July New Statesman roundtable discussion, in partnership with MAP. Participants to the conflict in Gaza was incredible. In MAP AT THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE included Jack Straw, Richard Burden, the first 3 weeks we raised £1million in IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW STATESMAN Ghada Karmi, Ilan Pappe and Tony donations. Because of your rapid response Date: TBC September 2014 MAP was able to get more medical Laurance. It took place shortly after Venue: Jury’s Inn Birmingham, supplies delivered during this time than the deadline had passed. The New 245 Broad Street, Birmingham any other organisation. You provided a Statesman published a supplement vital lifeline to the people of Gaza when summarising the discussion in June, Panel discussion: ‘Failed Diplomacy: Is it time to the most needed it. Thank you. which can be downloaded from our reframe the debate on Israel-Palestine?’ website: www.map-uk.org MAP at the World RIPON CATHEDRAL NEW MAP STAFF Health Assembly Come and sing Handel’s Messiah with orchestra. In May, MAP went to the 67th World Health James Denselow was recently appointed Saturday 18th October 2014 Assembly, in Geneva and participated in as our new Director of Advocacy and Communications. James rejoins MAP Singers pay £14, arrive 12.30pm for rehearsal a panel discussion about the health crisis Concert begins at 7pm, tickets £12. facing 5 million Palestinian refugees in from Crisis Action where he was Media To book your place and help promote this event please Gaza, the West Bank, , Syria and and Campaigns Co-ordinator for the contact Sue Cooke by email: [email protected]. You can Lebanon. The event was organised by the past two years. He previously worked as United Nations Relief and Works Agency MAP’s Media Officer. James has worked donate today at www.justgiving.com/sue-cooke3 for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), with extensively across the Middle East, including for Chatham House, the United the help of the World Health Organisation MAP’S GALA DINNER Nations and King’s College London. (WHO), and was chaired by Richard Horton, Palestinian-American comedian, Maysoon Zayid joined us editor-in-chief of the Lancet. He has written for the Guardian, the Huffington Post and the New Statesman for an exclusive and rare UK performance together with and has appeared regularly on all forms the contemporary band Karama at our Gala Dinner. The Campaigning for peace of international media discussing events event, which was hosted by our President, Baroness Morris Right from the start of the conflict in in the region. of Bolton, brought together MAP friends from the past and Gaza, MAP has been working for the present to celebrate a vibrant Palestinian culture that has people of Gaza including for an end to the MAP GIVES EVIDENCE survived decades of oppression and to raise funds for blockade. We have been campaigning for MAP’s projects serving Palestinians living under occupation a ceasefire and a longer term solution. We MAP was invited to give oral evidence and as refugees. have joined a briefing in Parliament and to the International Development have met with the Foreign Office. We have Committee Inquiry into the UK’s also collected signatures from the public development work in the Middle East, and notable figures for an open letter with particular reference to the delivery to David Cameron. The letter has been of essential health services in occupied signed by Lord Patten, Primal Scream, Palestine. MAP’s key message was that Roger Waters, Julia Sawalha, Michael UK aid should be accompanied by more Mansfield QC, Mark Thomas, Lord Steel, effective action to address the economic Caryl Churchill, Ricky Tomlinson, Brian Eno, and political barriers to development. Glenda Jackson MP, Ken Loach and John Visit our website to view the evidence American Palestinian comedian Maysoon Zayid McCarthy, just to mention a few. You can MAP gave: www.map-uk.org add your name at www.map.org.uk performs at MAP’s Gala Dinner

Donate online at Or call today on www.map.org.uk 020 7226 4114

Follow MAP on Twitter @MedicalAidPal and Facebook 33a Islington Park Street, www.facebook.com/MedicalAidforPalestinians London, N1 1QB [email protected] Registered Charity no: 1045315

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